3.3 Empires: Belief Systems

Religion was one of the most powerful forces in shaping political legitimacy and social order during the period from 1450 to 1750. In the land-based empires of Eurasia, rulers did not rely solely on military power or bureaucracy to govern. They also used religion and ideology to unite their subjects, justify their rule, and establish a moral foundation for authority. This relationship between faith and politics was complex. Religion could strengthen empires by promoting loyalty and cultural unity, but it could also create deep divisions when leaders sought to enforce religious uniformity or suppress dissent. In this period, the interaction between religious devotion and state power became a defining feature of imperial governance.